The Bandits continue to grow this off-season adding running back Kerrith Whyte, and linebacker Aaron Hansford. Whyte joins David Hamm as the 2nd off-season running back addition, while Hansford is the 3rd linebacker the Bandits have added. The Bandits currently now have 63 (52 Active, 9 inactive, 2 IR) players on their roster, as we inch closer to the 2023 USFL season.
Whyte is a well-traveled running back already at age 26. After being drafted in the NFL draft during the 7th round of 2019 by the Chicago Bears, Whyte would get cut on September 26, but signed to the practice squad next day. Whyte would gain an opportunity with the Steelers later in 2019, being signed to their active roster, and would appear in six games, recording 24 rushes for 122 yards. He also added 395 yards on kick returns however, upon completion of the 2019 season, the next several years in Whyte’s career would be less than stable.
The 2020 and 2021 season would be a lot of ups and downs for Whyte. He’d be cut multiple times, receive an injury designation and not be offered a futures contract with the Packers for 2022. Whyte spent all of 2022 out of football until the Bandits called and announced that Whyte was signed on November 3rd. So far Whyte has been on seven NFL teams and has earned $712,271 over his NFL career per spotrac.
Linebacker Aaron Hansford has had a less exciting pro career so far. Hansford joined the Dallas Cowboys after spending five seasons at Texas A&M. Hansford appeared in 43 games totaling 157 tackles. Hansford was originally a Wide Receiver coming into A&M however converted to Linebacker after an injury. The injury bug plagued Hansford again during camp with the Cowboys, as he would be waived in the beginning of camp. Hansford has had a workout with the Colts in August, however, did not get signed.
As the player pool dries up and rosters begin to get smaller and smaller it appears that many USFL teams may be standing by to add more players. With the XFL draft taking place between the 15th-17th of November, it appears the USFL will have a bunch more players joining their ranks. With a season two draft not yet announced it appears that the signings are the way to go for USFL teams continuing to fill their rosters.
